The Power of Paying Attention

A 3-Step Mindfulness Practice
—Dennis Merritt Jones

In our last newsletter, Dennis Merritt Jones wrote that the wisdom of the adage to stop, look and listen is universally applicable. Now, he gives you a mindfulness practice that will change how your experience life

1. STOP your body and your mind and take several deep breaths.

There is a natural connection between our head and heart and that which makes the connection is our breath. We can stop our mind from racing about “willy-nilly” as Ernest Holmes referred to it, by physically stopping our body, taking a few intentionally deep breaths and releasing them very slowly while focusing on our breath and nothing else. Adding a simple silent mantra, such as “God is” on the in-breath and “I am” on the out-breath, will help us slow down and presence ourselves in the Presence. Stopping to anchor ourselves in the ground of our Being comes first with our breath being the grounding conduit. Stopping our body, stopping our mind, and paying attention to the moment sets the stage for what is next. Click here for steps 2 and 3.

Physical Healing
—Dr. Ernest Holmes

In our August issue of “Science of Mind” magazine, Dr. Joe Dispenza says the body’s ability to heal through thought alone can now be proven scientifically. Enjoy this reading from Dr. Holmes that shows how to use your thoughts to create healing in your body.

If bodily illness confronts you, do this at least twice a day. Get as comfortable as you can, releasing all tension. Resolve that for at least a few minutes you will forget the bodily discomfort, the pain, the fever, or any other symptom which distresses you. Try to let go, to relax all over, so that all tenseness disappears from your body. Close your eyes and know that your body is the house in which God dwells, that God is in you as you, that God is what you are. Then quietly, very slowly, with ample time for a deep realization of every word, say:

There is One Life; that Life is God, that Life is perfect, that Life is my life now. My body is a manifestation of the living Spirit. It is created and sustained by the One Presence and the One Power. That Power is flowing in and through me now, animating every organ, every action and every function of my physical being. There is perfect circulation, perfect assimilation and perfect elimination. There is no congestion, no confusion and no inaction. I am One with the infinite rhythm of Life which flows through me in love, in harmony and in peace. There is no fear, no doubt and no uncertainty in my mind. I am letting that Life which is perfect flow through me. It is my life now. There is One Life; that Life is God, that Life is perfect, that Life is my life now.

“How to Change Your Life,” page 102.

Spiritual Families @ Home

This summer, Centers for Spiritual Living Youth Ministries are teaching The Golden Thread of Truth. The stories center around the universal truths that are present in all the world’s religions. Share these enriching messages and fun crafts with your children and grandchildren at home at your leisure!

Golden Thread #4: Enjoy Change

For most people, change is uncomfortable. And, for all people, change is an inherent part of life. Whether the change is ‘good’ - new playmate, new toy, or ‘bad’ - lost a favorite toy, family sickness - change happens.

The feelings associated with the change lessen over time and many find that what was originally thought to be a problem was actually the best thing that could have happened.

Do not fear change. Do not fear challenge. When challenges arise, and they do, an understanding of detachment can save you a lot of anguish.

Publishing the Sutras (Zen Stories)

Tetsugen, a devotee of Zen in Japan, decided to publish the sutras (sermons), which at that time were available only in Chinese. The books were to be printed with wood blocks in an edition of 7,000 copies, a tremendous undertaking.

Tetsugen began by traveling and collecting donations for this purpose. A few sympathizers would give him a hundred pieces of gold, but most of the time he received only small coins. He thanked each donor with equal gratitude. After 10 years, Tetsugen had enough money to begin his task.

It happened that at that time the Uji River overflowed. Famine followed. Tetsugen took the funds he had collected for the books and spent them to save others from starvation. Then he began again his work of collecting.

Several years afterwards an epidemic spread over the country. Tetsugen again gave away what he had collected, to help his people.

For a third time he started his work, and after 20 years his wish was fulfilled. The printing blocks which produced the first edition of sutras can be seen today in the Obaku monastery in Kyoto.

The Japanese tell their children that Tetsugen made three sets of sutras, and that the first two invisible sets surpass even the last.

“Each one of us today is the result of the use he has made of the Law, either consciously or unconsciously. As soon as we realize this we shall see that what we are now (or what we now have and experience) is the result of what we have thought; and the answer to what we shall be is contained in what we are now thinking. For we can change our thinking!” ~ “The Science of Mind” by Dr. Ernest Holmes, page 126.

Family Activity: Water drop Flowers - Change a simple paper towel using food coloring.

About The Golden Thread of Truth: Parents all over the world share parables and stories with their children. The Golden Thread of Truth is based upon the consistent spiritual messages that run through all the world's religions; Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Judaism and Native American traditions. Sharing these truths with your children will enhance their knowledge and respect for other's beliefs. We believe in teaching our children how we are more alike than different; understanding instead of fear.

Find more crafts on our Pinterest site or get the entire summer program with activities for teens, expanded stories and Q&A from the website.

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